Next Psychometric Tests, Assessment Centre, Recruitment Process & Interviews Online Preparation – 2024

What Is Next?

Next is an international clothing, footwear, and home products retailer founded in 1864. The company is headquartered in Enderby, England, and has over 44,000 employees across 500 stores. Next offers beautifully designed products that are high quality, responsibly sourced, and affordably priced.

The company has five core principles at the heart of its business. These principles are:

• Add Value: Next creates goods and provides services that their customers cannot find anywhere else. The company focuses on customer satisfaction and continuously improves the customer experience.
• Play to Our Strengths: Next makes quality products at affordable prices. Their objective is to be their customer’s first choice for fashion, footwear, and home goods.
• Make a Margin: Next strives to achieve healthy financial margins through efficient product sourcing, stock management, and cost control to create sustainability.
• Good Returns on Capital Invested: The company works to maintain a strong balance sheet and a secure financing structure. It uses robust investment appraisal models and maximizes profitability.
• Generate and Return Surplus Cash to Shareholders: The company offers buybacks or special dividends.

 

Working at Next

Next hires employees at all levels of their career, from recent graduates to seasoned professionals. There are many opportunities for employment at Next as they are looking for job seekers to work in-store, in the head office, in distribution, and at the call centre.

The benefits for each employee differ slightly depending on your role, but most Next employees enjoy the following:

• Staff discounts
• Staff shops
• Sharesave scheme
• Free parking
• Bonuses
• Recognition and great rewards

 

What Is Next’s Hiring Process?

Online Application

After deciding what company area you would like to work for, search for open positions and find one that fits your skillset. You will then need to start an online application to begin the recruitment process.

The online application is a simple form that asks you a few basic pre-employment questions regarding your work experience, educational background, and relevant skills for the job. At this time, you will also need to upload a recent CV. Be sure this document is current and accurate and that it highlights your abilities well.

You want the hiring team to select your application out of all the other candidates applying for the position, so do your best to show why you are the right person for the job.

 

Next’s Aptitude Tests

The next part of the application process is the online assessments. Next uses Cubiks’ assessment tests to understand your abilities better. Candidates can expect to take at least two psychometric tests during this stage of the process:

• Numerical Reasoning Test – The numerical reasoning test will assess your ability to comprehend and analyze numerical information. You will be given data in spreadsheets, charts, tables, or graphs and need to make deductions based on the information. You will have 20 to 25 minutes to complete 20 to 30 multiple-choice questions, so be sure to answer the questions quickly and efficiently.
• Verbal Reasoning Test – The verbal reasoning test will examine your ability to understand written information. The test will prompt you with text paragraphs, and you will need to answer true or false questions based on the given information. You will have 20 minutes to complete 44 questions, so you will want to focus and get through the questions quickly.

Most positions at Next will require basic math and language skills, so you must do well on both of these aptitude tests.

 

Video Interview

After completing the online assessments, Next will ask you to participate in a video interview. During this stage, you will record yourself answering a few predetermined questions. These questions will likely be motivational-based and will gauge your knowledge of the company and your interest in the position.

You will only have a few minutes to complete this interview, so be sure that you come to the test prepared. It would be best to do some research on the company and the position and what skills and qualities set you apart from the competition.

 

Phone Interview

The next stage of the process is the phone interview. This interview will likely be a conversation with a department member you are applying to. These questions will assess your enthusiasm and ensure that you would be a good fit for the company.

Ahead of this interview, be sure to rehearse responses to common interview questions and prepare a few questions for you to ask as well.

 

Next’s Assessment Day

The last stage of the hiring process is the assessment centre. This half-day event brings together multiple candidates to complete group and individual activities. Some of the exercises that you may encounter during the assessment day are:

• Group Activity: The group activity is significant at the assessment centre. You will work with a few other candidates to solve a workplace problem and produce a solution for the hiring team. This activity assesses your ability to work in a team and your leadership and communication skills. You will want to speak up and contribute to the group but not overshadow or disrespect the others in your group.
• Presentation: Before attending the assessment day, you will receive a topic to give a 15-minute presentation. This topic will be relevant to the company and the role you are applying for. The assessor may ask you additional questions about the subject, so be sure you thoroughly research the company and rehearse your presentation before the assessment day.
• Case Study: You may also participate in a case study exercise. You will receive a case study to read and then produce a written report or short presentation based on the information.
• Interview: The last part of the assessment day will be a final interview. This interview will likely go into more detail about your technical knowledge and skill set.

There will be assessors observing you throughout the day, so be sure that you are courteous to everyone you interact with and that you show excitement throughout the day.

 

How to Prepare for Next’s Assessment?

Next is looking for employees who add value to the company. One of the best ways to show your value is to do well on the assessments. Doing well on these tests will show that you are an excellent fit for the company and that you can perform the job duties required of the role.

To prepare for the assessments, take advantage of online sample tests and other resources. Exposing yourself to practice tests is a great way to ensure you are prepared and confident during the actual exam. This extra preparation will increase your chances of doing well on the assessments.